For a Morning to Follow Her Lead

This week so far has been full of hurry.  By the time I crawled into bed last night I swore I wasn't going to get up this morning I was so weary of it all.  At 6:00 am this little darling climbed in bed with me, snuggled up and fell back to sleep.  She woke up again just as Peter left the house.  I hadn't planned it this way, but I let her lead me all morning.

First we snuggled up on the couch and read book after book.  For the first time all week there wasn't anyplace we had to be this morning.  When Emma got tired of reading we headed to the kitchen for breakfast.  She wanted waffles and chattered on about Grandpa's big fluffy waffles.  So we ate waffles and told jokes to each other as the sun began to break through the fog.

I trimmed her hair while she watched a funny show on the computer.  She giggled and kept turning her head to see if I was watching her favorite parts.  Once the golden ends of her hair lay on the floor around her we headed off to the shower.  She was frustrated with my efforts to help wash her hair.  She could do it herself.

She pulled out two outfits and laid them on the floor for me to see.  One was a pair of gray jeans with a flowered shirt the other was her Rapunzel dress that she is famous around town for.  "Which should I wear?"  I feigned disinterest and told her either one was fine, but secretly I hoped for Rapunzel.  Of course that is what she chose.

Can we play hide and seek? she asked.  I convinced her to help me finish making my bed and put away the clean laundry before we played.  She tucked in one side of the bed and fluffed the pillow while I did the other side.  The clothes put away, the bed made and soon it was time for hide and seek.

We have our own special version of hide and seek that includes a lot of giggling.  I count, Emma hides and as soon as I say I'm going to get her, she giggles.  "Where is she?" I wonder and then listen for another giggle.  It isn't long before I've found her behind a chair, in a closet or under a bed.  I have to play the same way.  Those are the rules.  She counts, says she's coming for me and then I have to giggle.  She looks and looks and I giggle just loud enough that it doesn't take her too long to find me.

After hide and seek she wanted to play hopscotch.  So we found the chalk and headed outside.  I drew a hopscotch pattern on the front walk, a different color of chalk for each square.  I thought I would teach her how to really play the game, but she insisted that it wasn't the right way.  The only way to do it was to simply hop one, two, one, two up and back.  That's all there is to it.  That was good enough for her and it was good enough for me.

I suggested a walk, it was such a nice morning and all too soon the nice mornings will give way to blustery winds full of snow.  She slipped her hand into mine and we walked to the gravel pit to see what the machines had done.  We hoped they had created some new sledding hills for us.  We climbed all the way to the top of the hill on the east end of the pit.  I'd never been up there.  It was quite the adventure.  Going down Emma kept looking back at me and shouting, "Follow my lead!"  She'd go a little further and toss back over her shoulder, "Come on Mom, follow my lead!"  I realized that I'd been following her lead all morning and I couldn't have been happier, just following her lead.

One the way home she wanted to race again and again.  Her little legs flew down the road and I lumbered along behind her.  Once she promised she would let me win.  She showed me how she would run in slow motion.  I couldn't help laughing out loud.  She was so pleased and was even more pleased when I won the next race, thanks to her skillful slow motion run.

Back home it was time for lunch.  I made us some hot cocoa since the chill air had nipped our noses and ears.  She couldn't wait for me to make her favorite tuna fish sandwich so she nibbled on a waffle and sipped her chocolate while she waited.  She begged me to tell one story after the other, "Tell me the story about the waffle and the pancake!" was the first request.  It was a morbid tale of two breakfast foods who fell in love, but were fated to never be together.  The pancake was stabbed by a boy and eaten in quick gulps.  The waffle couldn't even hear the last proclamations of her love because the sound of it was drowned by the rushing of syrup pouring over his surface.  Next she wanted a story about a pancake that made it to the floor.  Oh dear!  It's a little overwhelming sometimes coming up with the stories she demands.  Still, I think she is keeping my mind young and fresh.

After lunch we headed to the couch again to read more books and then snuggled up for a little nap.  All week I have rushed Emma from one thing to the next.  Even when we were home I was too busy to pay much attention.  She tried to engage me, but I sent her away again and again.  Yesterday I felt so weary of my life.  I wondered if I was living it in the best way.  I felt like I was missing the most important things.  I wondered what I could cut out, how I could hold on to what meant the most to me.  A morning like this one was healing to my heart and soul.  To allow myself to be led by my child for a few hours, to let her call the shots, to listen to her chatter and join in her laughter was the best medicine I could have received.  I can't always spend my mornings like this.  There is a lot to be done to take care of a big, busy family.  But living like a child for a few hours clears my mind and makes me feel a childlike happiness that takes pleasure in the smallest of things.  So today I am grateful for a little blonde princess to take me by the hand and lead me.

For These Boys

Do you know how much I adore these boys? A lot!  They are full of fun and so sweet.  Every night when I ask them what the best part of their day was they almost always say, "Being with my best mom."  It fills me up every night even when I know I haven't been the best mom that day.

When Peter was born I had a vision in my heart that these two would be the best of friends and they are.  They have their moments like all siblings do, but for the most part they really are best friends.  Last night I saw that friendship in action again as McKay taught Peter during family home evening.

Peter is getting ready to be baptized in December so the last few weeks we have focused our lessons on him.  Last night McKay taught Peter about the Holy Ghost.  He had him stand up and he wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and said, "The Holy Ghost makes us feel warm and safe."  Then he handed him a paper star he'd made and said, "The Holy Ghost gives us light."  Then he handed him a picture of a stop sign he'd drawn and said, "The Holy Ghost warns us."  The whole time he stood with his arm around Peter's shoulder holding the blanket securely around him.  He taught him how sin can chase the Holy Ghost away, but that we can repent and He will return to us.  There was more to his lesson, but I'll never forget the sight of those two boys standing there together, McKay teaching and Peter listening intently.

For Our Veterans

via Valley Citizen

I don't remember anything about celebrating Veteran's Day when I was growing up.  I'm sure we must have talked about it in class at school, but it wasn't a big deal.  Here, in our little town, Veteran's Day is a big deal.  Every year my children practice from the first day of music class for this day.  They learn all the patriotic songs.  They learn about the divisions of the military.  They write thoughts about freedom, they draw pictures about freedom and write letters of thanks to our veterans.

On Veteran's Day each school hosts a special program for our veterans.  The veterans have a place of honor in front of everyone.  The children sing and speak.  Then we listen to the words and experiences of one of these good men.

My favorite part and most poignant part of each program is the playing of taps.  For as long as we have lived here this man, Dale Marcum, has played taps for those who never came home.  He plays it with his son Tom and even after the last echoing note dies out I still feel it vibrating in the room.  It makes me cry every time.  I feel for the men and women whose lives were cut short.  Even more I feel for the families who never welcomed them home.  Today as taps was played at McKay's school the veterans all stood, pulled off their hats and saluted.  Some of them looked to the flag, but many of them looked to heaven.

Too often I forget the cost of freedom.  I forget how much I owe the men and women who fought for our freedoms and the freedoms of those around the world.  I forget the broken hearted mothers, wives and children.  I forget their sacrifice.  I'm grateful for this gentle reminder every November.  I'm grateful for the freedoms I enjoy because of them.  I wish there was really some way to say thank you that meant something.  They may never know, but tonight my heart is full of thanks for all they have done to keep me and my family free.

For Coaches

We just got home from the end of the season cross country team awards banquet.  Of all the things I am most grateful for today it's good coaches.

When Sarah started cross country I wondered how she would do.  She hadn't trained over the summer and I knew it would be hard.  We wanted her to be part of this team.  Cross country at our school has a reputation for attracting great kids and making them even better.

Their first team meeting began at 10:00 pm the night before the day they could begin practicing.  At midnight they had their first practice.  When I talked to Sarah the next morning she shared how hard it had been.  "Are you going to stick with it?" I asked.  "I started so I might as well finish," was her reply.

That afternoon Sarah received an email from her coach telling her how impressed he was with her determination.  You should have seen Sarah's face.  She was so happy.  I thought, "No wonder he gets so much out of these kids.  Who wouldn't want to run for a coach who believes in you?"

Tonight Coach Gleichman had each member of the team stand in front of a room full of families.  Sarah was the first one.  Coach Gleichman said, "My first experience with Sarah was of her crying and gasping for breath.  It was our first practice, a practice that was designed to be easy.  It obviously wasn't easy for her.  All I could think was 'Wow!  This girl has guts!' Ever since then I've been a big fan of Sarah's."  He shared how she improved over the season, how she dealt with some injuries, but how she was determined and never gave up.  He finished with this advice, "Train your body to be as strong as your will and you can do anything."

Coach Gleichman saw in my daughter things I hadn't seen for myself.  He was able to inspire and encourage her in ways I wasn't able to.  That is what is so wonderful about great coaches.  I need them on my team in parenting.  I am so grateful for what they do for my children.

To Be a Homemaker

The other day I was filling out an application and had to list my occupation.  I carefully wrote HOMEMAKER in the assigned spot.  I liked seeing my career spelled out on paper, but I like even more living that occupation every day.

Today I woke up feeling so much gratitude for the blessing of being a homemaker.  Sometimes I complain and pretend I don't love it, but I really do love taking care of my home and my family.  When comments are made about if I will be going to work once Emma is in school I just cringe.  Could there possibly be any job out there that I could find so fulfilling or influential?  There is simply nothing I would rather do.

Today Emma worked along side me as I cleaned the house.  While I was working on the bedrooms she tackled organizing her drawers.  Wow!  My four year old now has tidier drawers than I do.  She was so proud of what she had done and could hardly wait to show dad when he got home.

She followed me to the kitchen where she swept and mopped with me.  Can I just say that this girl can really work?  What four year old sweeps and mops?!  She told me that today I was the dustpan holder so I got to hold the dustpan while she swept up the piles.  When it came time to mop she took the mop and worked a good half hour on the floors before she let me have a turn.  What I loved most about it all was the joy and satisfaction I saw in her eyes.  That is what homemaking does for me too.  I feel such joy and satisfaction from the work I do her in my home.

I wanted to cheer last General Conference when Elder Christopherson said, "There is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage.  There is no superior career, and no amount of money, authority or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family.  Whatever else a woman may accomplish, her moral influence is no more optimally employed than here."  I believe this.  My influence is greater in my home than in any other place.

A few years ago my friend, Rosie, and I did a session on homemaking for the high school's career fair.  We had so much fun putting together our presentation and hoped kids would come.  They did, after all the homemaking class was the only one where you could get milk and cookies.  One of the things we shared with them was that homemaking is a lot like a foundation.  It isn't visible and it isn't the showy part of a house, but without that foundation the whole structure is compromised.  The same holds true with society.  Homemaking is the foundation of a strong, moral and peaceful society.  When the homes of the people are unstable the society is too.

What I do every day doesn't make the news.  I'll never be one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, but I have more influence that most people realize.  I am one of many women who is building a foundation for a strong and peaceful nation.  Who knew that feeding, clothing, cleaning and caring could make such a difference?  But it does.  I know for sure that it makes a difference for the eight people living under this roof.  Could I be any luckier?  I get to be a homemaker.

The Right to Vote

Have you met Stephanie at barefoot in the kitchen?  I love reading her thoughts and catching glimpses of her life.  The other day she wrote this post about gratitude.  I tried to follow along with gratitude posts last year, but I didn't get very far.  I know that gratitude for the blessings in my life fills me with peace and happiness.  So, I think I'll give it a try again.

Today I'm grateful for the right to vote.  We didn't have a lot of issues on the ballot today.  I almost didn't go, but my friend called me up and asked if I wanted to catch a ride with her to the polls.  I'm so glad I did.  I'm so grateful I get to have a say.

I love it when I drop my ballot in the box and the poll worker says, "Kim Robison has voted!" I don't know why that thrills me, but it does, every time.  I feel lucky and blessed to live at a time and in a country where I can vote.  I know many women worked and sacrificed so I could.  I'm grateful for them too.

Halloween

 For several years I have been the biggest Halloween party pooper around.  I complained about the costumes, the decorations, the candy and the parties.  I preached about how it was a holiday built around all that is evil and ugly.  I pouted that we were involved with it at all.  And do you know what? We were all miserable.  This year I decided to let go of all my anger and frustration about it.  I would just let it be.

 I actually didn't think much about Halloween this year.  It snuck up on me.  Not fussing about how I hated Halloween left me lots of time and energy to concentrate on things that are truly important to me. My kids didn't focus as much on it either.  With mom taking it easy, they did too.

Last Friday we went to the Halloween carnival at Peter's school.  It was very simple and low key.  we got there early, the kids played all the usual carnival games: the cake walk (in which Emma won a cake), the fishing pond, bowling pumpkins and bean bag toss.  The kids came away with a few prizes and happy smiles.

 Monday night we carved pumpkins.  I've actually always loved this part of Halloween and we do it every year.  I don't even mind the mess.  I bought pumpkins weeks ago so I could make sure we had good ones.  We all get excited about designing faces, cutting them out and roasting the seeds.  I love seeing the finished products, with their wavering lights, shining on the front porch.

Yesterday, even though it was snowing, we headed out to do a little trick or treating.  Since we live in a rural community trick or treating is a little - tricky.  The local businesses in town sponsor trick or treating in the afternoon.  We've never done it before so we thought we would give it a try.  It was so much fun.  I could see how people really enjoy Halloween.  There was a festive feeling all along Main Street.  I could hear young voices shouting "Happy Halloween" to each other.  In every shop and business were people who smiled at my children, talked to them and told them how great they looked.  They gave them candy and my kids got to say "Thank you" again and again.  I felt so happy that when Emma started skipping down the street I had to join her.  

I was struck by the generosity and kindness of everyone.  The other parents and kids on the street were smiling at each other and visiting.  People who never talk to each other were treating each other like friends.  Adults were forgetting themselves, their lives and concerns and focusing on their children.  

After going around town we went to the trunk or treat.  I've never liked the trunk or treat, but coming from a happy place I couldn't help but talk to the people who came by our car.  I loved talking to the kids about their costumes.  I loved bending down to the little ones and hearing them say "Twunk o tweet!"  I loved seeing friends I hadn't seen in a long time.  It was just fun and left me feeling happy.

I know all the arguments against Halloween.  I've used them all.  But, I felt such happiness and goodwill that I don't think I will ever feel quite the same about it.  I don't think I'll ever be a true lover of Halloween.  I still can't abide the spooky, creepy, evil focus of much of it.  Living in a rural area has its advantages when it comes to that.  I don't have to see gross billboards or yards and stores filled with all that is scary and creepy.  I can keep it simple and happy.  I like that.